C&K mag #34 dps-f spg - Canoe & Kayak

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RIVER KAYAKING A Meander on the Mokau by Mark Robbins With Bronnie in charge 15 paddlers, 13 kayaks set off for the Mokau, and then carried on to Ngatarawa Rd, just past Mohoenui. At the end of this road we crossed a farm, with numerous gates and a track, which gave the group in the 2WD van, skilfully driven by Phil, a bit of early entertainment. Loading up the kayaks took a while. Several of us, including me were new to actually putting stuff into those hatches! Launching from a concrete boat ramp was dignified, and then we were off. Now, what was it Bronnie had said about going down rapids...? “No problem just follow the kayak in front - and hope for the best!” Actually, the rapids were very easy, and soon became something to look forward to. Very sharp corners and submerged logs made the logjams troublesome. The paddle started in fairly open farmland, slowly meandered south into a deeply incised valley. A couple of hours later, we stopped for lunch and a leg stretch at a nice spot on the river bank, then continued to where the river changes direction, heading west along the base of high bluffs. We passed from the top of the Mahoenui Group (upper Awakino Limestone) into the base of the 16 ISSUE THIRTYfour • 2005 Mokau Group (Lower Mokau Sandstone). This area was formed around 20 million years ago. The Mokau is joined by a tributary, which can be paddled for a short distance to a hunter’s hut. Surrounded by high bush-clad hills, nikaus in profusion along the banks, and numerous wild goats watching with interest, paddling this part of the river is very relaxing. Nevertheless, after a few more kms we were glad to put in to shore and off-load all our tents and bags of food. The campsite was an alluvial flat well above river level. Across the river there was an excellent exposure of a lens of Mokau coal. The weather was overcast, quite cold but windless. After hauling our gear up a slippery bank and setting up campsite between the numerous cow patties (most of them still rather “fresh”), we lit a nice fire and heated up dinner, which Bronnie provided. An excellent homemade chicken dish, boil-in-bag rice and carrot salad, accompanied by some liquid refreshments including a drop of Sentry Hill Winery Green Ginger Wine. Next came dessert. The food & gear Bronnie pulled out of that kayak was remarkable! A heavy drizzle around this time, sent some to an early bed, while the “hardy” types kept yakking in front of the fire. A cold night it was! I don’t think I had any clothes left in my dry bag by the morning! Another fire in the morning to warm up, breakfast (can’t beat that porridge!), pack-up and we were back on the water. Our first stop was only 3 km along the river. We took a track through the bush to a couple of abandoned but well preserved horizontal mine shafts. Just visible was the remains of the railway system used to transport coal down the river. Conditions for the miners must have been very hard, especially in winter - not my cup of tea! Further up the track, we came to an old farm track leading down to the river. Following this we soon came to an open sloping hillside covered in pasture with the remains of numerous buildings, including a bakery, numerous exotic trees and dozens of beer bottles. Still standing is a very large woolshed and a hut with 1/2 dozen bunks and beds and a big hole in the roof. The community which once lived here was supported by a large sheep station, most of which appears to be regenerating native bush. A fascinating place - well worth the visit if you happen to be passing! Back on the road (sorry - river) again, continuing on for 12 km, past towering bluffs, we eventually stopped for lunch near the site of an old limekiln. It would have been used to make Portland cement from local limestone. This was achieved by mixing the crushed rock with clay or sand and heating to 1480 degrees C. I guess they used local coal. I could not see any obvious limestone outcrops in the area - the major outcrops are further north. The resultant fused material called clinker is ground down to a fine powder before use. This was probably done after transportation. If anyone knows more about this plant or the sheep station, I’m sure we’d be most interested to hear from you. There is some info at the Mokau museum and apparently a book on the history of the Mokau River is coming out soon. The last leg was just a hop of 6km to the get-out at Awakau Road. On the high slippery riverbanks, getting out was a slow, one-at-a-time affair. Fortunately it was sunny and the wait was very relaxing for those watching the mugs, hauling laden kayaks up the bank. All in all, a great couple of days - good kayaking, great scenery and excellent company. I learnt a few things: such as the pleasures of river kayaking, how to ease that lower back pain by stretching the legs right out and leaning hard back, and not to attempt eating scroggin and paddling at the same time! Special thanks to the drivers, and to Bronnie for organizing and leading the trip.
Kiwi Association of Sea <strong>Kayak</strong>ers N.Z. Inc. (KASK) KASK is a network of sea kayakers throughout New Zealand KASK publishes a 146 page sea kayaking handbook which is free to new members: the handbook contains all you need to know about sea kayaking: techniques and skills, resources, equipment, places to go etc. KASK publishes a bi-monthly newsletter containing trip reports, events, book reviews, technique/equipment reviews and a ‘bugger’ file. KASK holds national sea kayaking forums. Website: Website: www.kask.co.nz www.kask.co.nz Annual subscription is $35.00. Kask PO Box 23, Runanga 7854, West Coast ISSUE THIRTYfour • 2005 17
Page 1 and 2: $5.95 NZ NZ Kayak Magazine Buyers W
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Page 5 and 6: EDITOR: Peter Townend Ph: [09] 473
Page 7 and 8: ISSUE THIRTYfour • 2005 7 NZ Dist
Page 9 and 10: Pete Townend promised, “Cool morn
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Page 13 and 14: Some tips on how to organize a kaya
Page 15: In control while Toni watches on ag
Page 19 and 20: For Sale Kayak Shops Interested in
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Page 25 and 26: Letters to the Editor Cars carrying
Page 27 and 28: OTHER WORLD HAWKE’S BAY 15 Niven
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Page 37 and 38: WHATS ON? Easter “Get Together”
Page 39 and 40: 11.30am. Half an hour later, Derek
Page 43 and 44: ACADIA 470 A great fun family boat
Page 45 and 46: We have many more kayaks available
Page 47 and 48: We have many more kayaks available
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